2012 Benromach Batch 3 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

If you were exploring the deeper, heavier side of Speyside malts, natural strength Cragellachies and Mortlachs might be your first point of call - that's if you can find them. Benromach now offers a third way to go, and it's more viable than the other two. Their vintage-dated cask strength editions are released in batches, each promising variations on a theme, each delivering a smorgasbord of whisky flavours: A little smoke in combination with first-fill Bourbon and Sherry sweetness plus a rich, oily texture that's downright delicious. It's as much fun as you're likely to squeeze out of ten year old malt! 59.6% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

Other reviews... [2022 batch 1 tasted] They say it's 'made by hand'. We'll soon get up there to check all that. Not too sure about the casks here, they wouldn't tell on the front label, except that it is 'exclusively first-fill'. Oh, thanks! Colour: gold. Nose: really rather too strong, you do not get much out of it, you'll only burn your nostrils. Avoid at any costs. With water: a little sawdust, chocolate, pumpernickel, mud, horse dung (distant whiffs)… I find it pretty tough and rustic, they should sell this one at The House of Bruar. Nah, love it anyway. Mouth (neat): it sure hasn't got that sulphury attack, but it does have a lot of peppers of all kinds. Tastes good, but no chances taken… With water: yess! It's Moses saved from the waters, although I wouldn't call it Mister Gentle. Bitters, Campari-like brews, artichoke, abundant peppers, pepper oil… Finish: very long, on bitter vegetables, bitter oranges, Fernet, artichoke… And indeed, a lot of pepper in the aftertaste. Comments: great but tough, there must be something with pepper at Benromach. But I love it. 87 points - whiskyfun.com